Switching apparatus



-W. M. SCOTT SWITCHING APPARATUS Sept. 7 1926. 1,598,749

Filed Feb. 1'7, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 v asd I 57c G35 g INVENTOR H @Ail lsw r z ATTORNEY Sept. 7 1926. 1,598,749

w. M. SCOTT SWITCHING APPARATUS I N VEN TOR 1 4 ATTORNEY Sept. 7 1926. 1,598,749

w. M. SCOTT SWITGHI'NG APPARATUS Filed Feb. 17. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 71/11/////////// I I 111 d /l /l////// I I I N VEN TOR.

BY M24651 4; ATTORNEY;

of )art of t Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' swrrcnnm arraaarus.

Application flediebmary 17, 1923. Serial No. 618,586.

My invention relates to electrical switch or circuit breaker structure for controlling or protecting electric circuits for carrying current for power, lighting or other purposes.

v In accordance-with my invention, a switch or circuit breaker structure is provided with means for locking it in normal, generall circuit closing position, and is dispose within a housing upon whose movement or upon movement of a door or wall of which the switch or circuit breaker structure is tripped and moves to abnormal, generally open circuit, position, from which it cannot be returned to or latched in normal position until the housing, or a door or wall thereof, is returned to closed or normal position.

Further in accordance with my invention, the switch or circuit breaker structure may be manually tripped from the exterior of the housing by a member sliding upon or through the actuating mechanism without movement of the actuating mechanism with or in the direction of the tripping member.

My invention resides in features of structure and combination hereinafter described and claimed.

For an illustration'of'one of the various forms my invention may take, reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings,

in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of structure embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of structure shown in Fig. 1, with part of the housing broken aw Fig. 3 is a view, part] a fiagmentary side elevational in section, on enlarged scale, e structure illustrated in Fig. 1. igs. 4 and 5are side and top plan views, respectively of a bracket member involved in Figs. 6 and 7 are side and front elevational views, respectively, of a pivoted control member of he structure illustrated in igs. 8 and I 9 are front' and side elevations, respectively, of a memberinvolved in the structure of Fig. 3

Fig. 10 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a modification of the structure ofFig.3. y n

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the actuating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, upon a base 1, of suitable insulating material, are secured two switch or circuit breaker mechanisms A. and B, Fig. 2, the description of the parts of one of which will sufiice for both.

The two circuit breaker arms, A and B, form a so-called double prm circuit breaker, the two arms or poles of which are independently operable to normal or closed position, both connected in series in. the same circuit, preferably one arm in each side of the circuit, with automatic tripping mechanism ensuring the tripping of an arm first closed if there obtains an overload or other abnormal electrical condition upon attempt to close the other arm, in general the same asdescribcd in my pri'or Patent 1,389,- A

Each arm-or circuit breaker comprises the main terminals? and 3, adapted to be connected or bridged by the laminated bridging contact member 4 carried by an arm 5 pivoted to the bracket 6 at 7. Pivoted to the arm 5 at 8 is a toggle link or member 9 iv-- oted at 10 tothe toggle link ll pivote at 12 to the bracket 6 on base 1. The member 9 may, as indicated in Fig. 2, take the form of plates joined by the plate 13, which carries a pin or roller 14. The member 9 car ries a pin or roller 15, which is engaged by the hook latch 16 pivoted to the housing 6 at 7, and having the .tail 17. Pivoted concentrically with the latch 16 is the latch actuator or bar 18 extending in front of both arms. of thebreaker mechanism and adapted to engage and, actuate the tails 17 to en age the tripper tail 18, which may be attached to and rotates the latch actuator bar 18 in clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. '1, to effect actuation of the latch 16 and tripping of the breaker mechanism. Coacting with the armature 20 may be a startdelaying device 23 0f the sucker y The .base 1 is hung upon and hinged to the metal box or housing 24 by suitable hook structure 25, or equivalent, the box 24 being secured to any suitable support by screws 26,

whereby the base 1 andthe circuit breaker structure carried thereby are carried and sugported by the box 24. hrough suitable conduits or pipes 27, communicating with the interior of the box 24 extend the insulated circuit supply conductors 28 and 29, connected, respectively, to the studs 30 and 31, extending through the base 1 and connected, respectively, to the up.er terminals 2 of the breaker arms A and One terminal of each of the magnet coils 19 connects with the lower main terminal 3, and the other terminals of the coils 19 connect, respectively, with the studs 32 and 33, with which connect, respectively, the consumption circuit conductors 34 and 35, extending through the lower pipe or conduit 2 Hung upon or carried by the rear box or housing 24 by hook hinges is the front box or housing H, which enclosesthe hereinbefore described circuit breaker mechanism. The housing H may be of sheet metal and may be locked in the closed position indicated in Fig. 1 by any suitable means. For this purpose there are provided upon the bottom of the box 24 the lugs 36, in which there is pivoted at 37 the hasp 38, adapted to engage in-a notch 39 in the link 40, pivoted to the bottom of the housing H at 41 in the lugs42.

The parts are shown in dotted lines in the unlocked position. By rotating the link 40 in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, about its pivot 41, it takes the full line pdsition indicated. The hasp 38 and link 40 form in efiect a toggle which, in the full line position indicated in Fig. 1, is overtravelled, thereby holding the housing H locked to the, housing 24, and by the lug 41 secured to the housing H also holding and locking the base 1 to housing 24. The free end of the link 40 is adapted to enter between the lugs 43 upon the bottom of the base H, these lugs having aligned holes, and

the link 40 having a hole 44 which comes into register with them, and through the holes when in register may be inserted the hasp 43 of a padlock L which prevents unlock ing the housing H from the housing 24.

Secured upon the inner side of the front wall of the housing H is a bracket 45, in which is pivoted the hollow or tubular shaft 46 having the bore or hole 47. The shaft 46 V extends to the exterior of the housing H.

and there is secured to it, as by pin 48, the

operating lever or handle 49. Secured upon the shaft 46 within the housing H, but carried thereby on thebracket 45, is the actuating member 50, whose side edges, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 11, are adapted to engage and depress the pins or rollers 14 on the toggle members 9.

lVith both arms of the mechanism in open circuit position, by rotating the operating lever 49 in one direction the actuating mem ber 50 will engage and depress one of the pins 14, thereby extending the associated.

toggle and moving the movable contact member 4 to circuit closing poaition, in which it is latched by engagement of the latch 16 with the roller 15. Corresponding movement of the lever 49 in opposite direction eil ccts a similar closure of the other arm. A suitable spring, not shown, biases the member 50 to mid or neutral position, indicated in Figs. 1 and 11.. As described, and as shown in Fig. 11, the actuating member 50 is detached from the circuit breaker structure.

Pivoted to the inner end of the bracket 45 at 45 (which happens to be about concentric with 10, as shown in Fig. 1, but has no connection thereto) is the tripping lever 51, a spring 52, under tension, normally holding the lever in the position indicate-l in Fig. -1.

Structure of the character above described, involving the actuating member 56 and the tripping member 51 carried by the housing H and in detached relation, rcspcctively, to the members 14, 14 and 18, is disclosed in my prior Letters Patent No. 1,515; 759, November 18, 1924.

Extending through the hole or bore 47 ot the shaft 46 is the rod or plunger 53 having at its outer end the head or button 54, to which is applied the hand or thumb of th operator to push the plunger from right towards the left, Fig. 1, thereby rotating the tripping lever 51 about its pivot in op position to spring 52, the lower end of the lever 51engaging and actuating the tripper bar 18, which then actuates the tails 17 of the latches 16 of both arms, tripping both simultaneously. By the construction just described, the actuating mechanism or member 50 is not moved inwardly with the tripping plunger or rod 53, the actuating member 50 being confined against motion longitudinally of its axis of rotation, and there fore confined substantially to a given plane of rotation.

Carried upon the base 1 is the outstanding bracket 55, to which is pivoted at 56 the vertically extending lever 57, to which is attached at its upper end a pin 59, to which is attached one end of the spring 60, whose other end is attached at 64 to the bracket 55, the spring 60 tending to pull the upper end of the lever 57 toward the left, Fig. 3. Such movement is prevented by the member 62, which may take the form of a screw threaded through the upstanding bracket 63, whose base 64 is secured to a side wall of the housing H. The screw 62 forms an adjustable abutment against which abuts the lower end 57 of the lever 57. The screw 62 may be locked in position to which adjusted by the lock nut 65.

The upper end of the lever 57 is disposed adjacent the tripper bar 18, whereby, when the housing H is swung upon its book pivbar 18 free.

ots 25 away from the base 1, the abutment 62 is withdrawn away from the lower end of the lever 57, whose upper end is-then moved toward the, left, Fig. 3, by the spring 60, and caused to actuate the tripper bar 18 for tripping such one or moreot the arms A or B which maybe in circuit closing osition. In returning the support or housing H to operative relation with respect to the base 1 and the switch n mecha nism, the abutment 62 engages file lever 57, moving it upon its pivot 56 in opposition to spring 60 to position preventing actuation of the restraining means. The members 3 and 40, carried, respectively, by the front and rear housings H and 24, detachably engage each other and constitute a force-multiplying device easily manually operable to apply force to the housing or support H to move it to its final operative position in opposition to spring 60, and when the members 38 and 40 are in the locking position indicated in Fig. 1, they hold the housing or support H'in its operative position in opposition to spring 60. Upon release of the members 38 and 40, as by carrying the toggle constituted by them to undertravclled position, the spring 60 tends to swing the housing H away from the base 1 and to move the lever 57 in the direction in which it moves to effect tripping of the circuit breaker mechanism by actuation of its restraining means.

From the structure described, it follows that upon removal of the housing H the circuit breaker mechanism within it is automatically tripped, and so long as the housing is so removed from the normal or closed position indicated in Fig. 1, the spring 60 will hold the upper end of the lever 57 against the tripper bar 18, which in turnholds the latches 16 in unlocked position, whereby neither circuit breaker arm can be latched closed so long as the housing H is not in its normal closed osition.

Similar structure is s own in Fig. 10. In this case, however, the abutment 62 is carried by the door or movable wall D of the housing H and pivoted thereto at d, whereby it the wall or door is opened or removed, either or both breakers will be tripped, according as either. or both were in circuit closing position, and neither can be locked in circuit closing osition until the wall or door D is returne to such position as to return the lever 57, in op osition to spring 60, to position leaving t e tripper The door or movable wall I) may carry, as shown the actuating and trip ping mechanism, com rising members 50 and 51, or their equiva cuts, in an arrangement similar to that indicated in Fig. 1 wherein the actuating member 50 and tripping member 51 are in detached relation to members 14, 14 and 18, respectively, and

are carried by a wall of the movable hous ing H.

Some of the features of my present invention are in theirbroader aspects claimed in my co-pending applications serially uuni; bcred 427,979 and December 3, 1920 and February 23, 1921, upon which have issued Letters Patent No. 1,505,107 and No. 1,515,759, respectively.

\Vliat I claim is:

1. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member for actuating said restraining means, a rotatable member, an actuating member carried by said rotatable member for resetting said .movgable contact member, and amember disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independentl thereof for actuating said tripping mem er.

2. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member for actuating said restraining means, a rotatable member, an actuating member carried by said rotatable member for resetting said movable contact member, and a member disposed within said rotatable member and, movable axially independently thereof to actuate said tripping member.

147,114, filed, respectively,

The combination with switching mechanism comprising amovable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member for"- actuating' said restraining means, a rotary shaft having an axial bore, an actuating member secured to said shaft for resetting said movable contact member, and a member for actuating said tripping member movable longitudinally of said bore independently of said actuating member. I

4. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member for actuating said restraining means, a rotatable meinber,'an actuating member carried by said rotatable meinberfor resetting said movable contact member, a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member, and

means for preventing longitudinal movement of said actuating member.

5. The combination with switching 1118011- anism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining-the same in normal position, of a tripping member for actuating said restraining means, a rotary shaft having an axial bore, an actuating member secured to said shaft. for resetting said movable contact member, a member for actuating said tripping member movable normal position, of a lon 'tudinally of said bore independently of sai actuating member, and means for preventing longitudinal movement of said actuating member.

6. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a pivoted tripping member for actuating said restraining means, a rotatable member, an actuating member carried by said rotatable member for resetting said movable contact member, and a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member.

7. The combination with switphing mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the sztme in pivoted tripping memher for actuating sai restraining means, a rotary shaft having an axial bore, an actuating member secured to said shaft for resetting said movable contact member, and a member for actuating said tripping member movable longitudinally of said bore inde penclently of said actuating member.

8. The combination with switching mechanism comprising-amovable contact memher and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a pivoted tripping member for actuating sai restraining means, a rotatable member, an actuating member carried by said rotatable member for resetting said movable contact member, a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member, and means for preventing longitudinal movement of said actuating member.

9. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact memher and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a rotatable member, an actuator carried and rotatable by said rotatable member for resetting said contact mem-- her, and a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said restraining means.

10. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a rotatable member, an actuator carried and rotatable by said rotatable member for, resetting said contact member, a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said restraining means, and means preventing longitudinal movement of said actuator.

11. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member, a

'rotatable member, an actuator separate from said tripping member carried and rotatable by said rotatable member for resetting said contact member, and a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member.

12. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a pivoted tripping member, a rotatable member, an actuator separate from said tripping member carried and rotatable by said rotatable member for resetting said contact member, and a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member.

13. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member, a rotatable member, an actuator separate from said tripping member carried and rotatable by said rotatable member for resetting said contact member, a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member, and means for preventing longitudinal movement of said actuator.

14.. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a support movable with respect to said switching mechanism,

a rotatable member carried by said support,

an actuator detached from Qaid contact with switching mechanism comprising amovable contact 110 member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a support movable with respect to said switching mechanism, a rotatable member carried by said support, an actuator detached from said contact member and carried and rotatable by said rotatable member for resetting said contact member, a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said restraining means, and means preventing longitudinal movement of said actuator.

16. The combination with switching mechanism comprising. a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a support movable with respect to said switching mechanism, a tripping member carried by said support in detached relation to said restraining means, a rotatable member carried by said support,

an actuator detached from said contact member and carried and rotatable by said rotatable member, and a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member to actuate said restraining means.

17. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for rest-raining the same in normal position, of a support movable with respect to said switching mechanism, a tripping member carried by said support in detached relation to saidrestraining means, a rotatable membcr carried by said support, an actuator detached from said contact member and carried and rotatable by said rotatable member, a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member to'actuate said restrainin means, and means for preventing longitu inal movement of said actuator.

18. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in'normal position, of a support movable with respect to said switching mechanism, a tripping member pivoted to said support in detached relation to said restraining means, a rotatable member carried by said support, an actuator detached from said contact member and carried and rotatable by said rotatable member, and a member disposed within said rotatable member and movable longitudinally independently thereof for actuating said tripping member to actuate said restraining means.

19. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal osition, of a houslng enclosmg said switchmg mechanism, a rotatable member carried by said housing, an actuator carried and rotatable by said rotatable member and disposed within said housing in detached relation to said contact member, means on the exterior of said housing for rotating said rotatable member, and a member operable from the exterior of said housing and mov- ,able longitudinally within said rotatable member and independently thereof for actuating said restraining means.

20. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a housing enclosing saidswitching mechanism, a rotatable member carried by said housing, an actuator carried and rotatable by said rotatable member and disposed within said housing in detached relation to said contact member, means preventing longitudinal movement of said actuator, means on the exterior of said housing for rotating said rotatable member,

and a member operable from the exterior of said housing and movable longitudinally within said rotatable member and independently thereof for actuating said restraining means. I

21. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a-housing enclosing said switching mechanism, a tripping member carried by said housing in detached relation tosaid restraining means, a rotatable member carried by said housing, an actuator separate from said tripping member disposed within said housing and carried and rotatable by said rotatable member, means on the exterior of said housing for rotating said rotatable member, and a member operable from the exterior of said housing movable' longitudinally within said rotatable member independently thereof for actuating said tripping member.

22. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a housing enclosing said switching mechanism, a tripping member pivoted upon said housing in detached relation to said restraining means, a rotatable member carried by said housing, an actuator separate from said tripping member disposed within said housingand carried and rotatable by said rotatable member, means on the exterior of said housing for rotating said rotatable member, and a member operable from the exterior of said housing movable longitudinally within said rotatable member independently thereof for actuating said tripping member.

actuator, means on the exterior of said housing for rotating said rotatable member, and a member operable from the exterior of said housin movable longitudinally within said rotatakie member independently thereof for actuating said tripping member.

24. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member tending to move in a direction to actuate said restraining means, a member movable with respect to said switching mechanism, and a member carried by saidlast named member and disposed in the path of travel of said tripping member to prevent its movement in direction to actuate said restraining means.

25. The combination with switching mechanism comprisinga moyable contact member -.and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member tending to move in a direction to actuate said restraining means, a member movable with re [preventing restraint of said contact member restraining means} until return of said movable member .to normal position.

26. The combination with switching mech anism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member tending to move in a direct-ion to actuate said restraining means, a housing enclosing said switching mechanism and tripping member,

and a member carried by and movable with.

a wall of said housing to and fromposition in which it prevents movement of said tripping member indirection to actuate said e combination with switchingmgehf.

anism comprising a -movable contact member and means for restraining the same in noramal position, of a tripping member tending to move in. a direction to actuate said re straining means,- a housing enclosing said i switching mechanism and tri ping member,

and a member carried by an movable with a wallof said housing to" and from position in which it prevents movement of said trip ping member in direction to .a ctuate-said restraining means, said tripping member when freed by movement of said housing wall holding said restraining means in inoperative position preventing restraint of said contact member until return of said housing wall to normal osition; K I

28. The combination with switching mech anism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same in normal position, of a tripping member tending to move in a direction to actuate said retripping member until movement of said housing with respect to said base.

straining means, a housing enclosing said switching mechanism and tripping member,

a member carried by and movable with av wall of said housing to and from position in which it prevents movement of said tripping member in direction to actuate said restraining means, and an actuator carried by said housing for resetting said contact member when said tripping member is withheld from actuating sai restrain' means.

29. The combination w th switching mechs spring engaging said adapted to control and tripping member anism comprising a movable contact member which it prevents movement of said trip ping member in direction to actuate said,

restraining means, said tripping member "when freed by movement of said housing wall holding said restraining means in inoperative position preventing restraint of said contact member until return of said housing wall to normal position, and an actuator carried by said housing for resetting said contact member when said trip member is withheld from actuating sai restraining means.

30; The combination with switching mechanism comprisin ber and means or restraining the same in normal posit-ion, of a tripping member tending to move in-a direction to actuate said restraining means, a housing enclosing said switching mechanism and tripping member, a member carried by and movable with a wall of said housingto and from position in which it prevents movementof said tripping member in direction to actuate said restraining means, and a second tripping member carried by said housing wall and op- 'erable from the exterior thereof for actuating said restraining means when said first named tripping member is withheld from actuating 'said restraining means.

ing

a movable contact 'mem- 31. The combination with a support, of a 7 base carried by and movable with respect thereto, switching mechanism carried by said base and comprising a movable contact memher and means for restraining it in normal position, a housing enclosing said switching mechanism carried by. said support and movable with res ect to said base, a tripping member mova 1e in a direction to actuate said restraining meansto trip said contact member, a member pivoted on said base, a ivoted member. and

through said pivoted member, and a member carried by and movable with said housing normally disposed in the path of said pivoted member to prevent actuation of said 32. The combination with a base, of switching mechanism carried thereby comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining it in normal position, a housing enclosing said switching mechanism, a tripping member adapted to control said restraining means to tnp said contact member, a-member ivoted on said base, a spring engaging sai pivoted member and said pivoted member against movement ef-- iecting tripping ofssaid contact member until movement of'saidxhousingwall with respect to said base.

pivoted on said base, a spring operating upon said lever to move itfin a operate said restraining means "a member movable with respect to said-basqand a member carried by saidlast named memberif I 1 and coacting with said pivoted lever. in op-n position to said spring to prevent movement of said lever in a direction; toactuatfisa' restraining means.

" 34. The combination 'lwith ase,

, switching mechanism on said lcompris l ing a movable contact member-v means); 2 I for restraining-1t in normal pos tiom'a' lever pivoted on said base, jafspring' 'operating upon said lever'to'moveit ma-direction to operate said restraining means, a. member 'movable with respectto said base, a member to said spring to prevent movement oi said lever ina direction to actuate said restraining means, and manually operable means detachably engaging with said member which is' movable with respect to said base for holding said member in positionin opposi- .-,tion to said spring.

35. The combination" with "a l base, .fof

1' f switching mechanism on said base comprismg a movable contact member and meansfor .;restra1n1ng it in normal position,- 'a' lever pivoted on said base, a spring operating'upon said lever to move itin a'direction toop "it in a erate said restraining means, a housing enable'with respect to'said base, and a member carried by said housing and co-acitingwith said pivoted lever 1 in opposition to said a direction to actuate said restraining-means 36Thecombination with a a base, of

in normal position, of a tri'ppin member, a 1 spring operating upon said tripping member a 33. The combination with' aL-Qbase, of switching mechanism on said base comprises. ing, a movable contact member and means" for restraining it in normal position, a lever- "anden a" sai direction to g gu'lg carried by said-last named member and co-'- acting with said pivoted lever in opposition closing said switching mechanism and movspring to prevent movementof s'aidjleverin ber carried 'bysaid housing and co-acting' said housing for holding said housing in 05 position in opposition to said spring Y 37. The combination with switching mechanism comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining the same it" inopposit on 'to sm to; prevent movement of said tripping mem- J char in a direction .to actuate said restraining means, and manually operable means 'desition in-opposition to said spring. 7 t ""f38=The' -combination with switching mechanismcomprising a'jmovable contact member and means for restrainingthe same lin normal position, of a tripping member, a 1 spring operating upon'said tripping member to move it in a direction to actuate said restraining means, a housingenclosingsaid switchin mechanism, and a member carried by said ousin to engage said trippin member and ho d it in opposition to said spring to prevent actuation of said restraining means by said tripping -member, and

manually operable means detachably engagingsaid housing for holding it in opposition to, said spring'.--;

I 39. The combination with a fixed housing, of a base thereon, switching mechanism carried .by said base and comprising a" mov- I; ablecontact. member and means for restraining it in normal sition, a second housin pivoted upon sai housin independently io tripping member to move" motion to. actuate said restrainin means, and a member'carried bysaid secon housing and adapted to hold said tripping "said base, a tripping mem er,- a spring op'er-j ating u on sai Qmemberrin opposition to said spring to prevent actuation of said restraining meansb said tri ping member. I 40. T e combination with a fixed housing, of a base thereon, switching-mechanism carried by said base and'comprising a mov-f able contact member and'means for restrains ing it in normal position, a second housing' ivoted upon said housing independent 1y 0 said base, a tripping member, a spring operating upon said tripping member to move it in a direction to actuate said restraining means, a member carried by said second housing and holdin said tripping member in opposition to said spring to prevent actuation of said restramin means b said trippingmember, and mem rs earried respectively by said housings and dein i tachably engaging with said member which ismovable-withrespect to" saidswitching mechanism. for holding said memberin pol- 80 hold it in taehably engaging each other to hold said second housing in operative relation with re- -spect,to said base in opposition to said spring.

41. The combination with a lixed housing, of a base pivoted thereon, switching mechanism carried by said base and comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining it in normal position, a second housing pivoted upon said housing independently of'sa-id base, an abutment on said second housing engaging said base to hold it in predetermined position with respect to said first named housing, a tripping member, a spring operating upon said-tripping member to move it in a direction to actuate said. restraining means, and a member carired by said second housing and, holding said tripping member in opposition to said spring to prevent actuation of said restraining means by said tripping member.

42'. The combination with a fixed housing, of a base pivoted thereon, switching mechanism carried by said base and comprising a movable. contact member and means for restraining-it in normal position, a second housing pivoted upon said housing independenti of said base, an abutment on said second housing en aging said base to predetermined position with respect to said'first named housing, a tripping member, a spring operating upon said tripping member to move it in a direction to ber carried by said second housing holds said tripping member in opposition to said spring to prevent actuation of said restraining means by said tripping member.

43. The combination with a plurality of switching mechanisms each comprising a movable contact member and means for restraining it in normal position, of a bar common to said switching mechanisms for actuating their said restraining means, a tripping member, a spring operating on said tripping member and tending to move it to actuate said bar to actuate said restraining means, a membermovable with respect to said switching mechanisms, and a member carried by said last named member holdin said tripping member in opposition to said spring.

, In testimony whereof, I have hereunto afiixed my signature this 15th day of February, 1923;

WILLIAM M; SCOTT. 

